Tent structure



w. E; LEE

TENT STRUCTURE I Nov. 23, 194s;

Filed Octf 22, 1946 I 3 Shets-Sheet 2 I 5,? c0003. QQ L INVENTOR. Wlel'l'. Lee

Patented Nov. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TENT STRUCTURE Walter Lee, Chicago, Ill.

Application October 22, 1946, Serial No. 704,903

10 Claims. l

My invention relates to tent structures, and aims for a more economical and simplified construction, by virtue of the use of a number of novel iittings, requiring less time to set up, or knock down a tent structure, hence effectuating a saving of time in the set-upV and knock-down operation.

An important object of my invention is to provide novel fitting structure, which permits the various rope structures utilized in forming the skeletal reinforcement, and framework for tent bodies, sides, and roofs, so as to permit of a ready manipulation, and attachment of the said ropes when setting up the tent, and conversely when the said tent has to be knocked down, and compactly disposed for erection at a future date.

An important object of my invention is to provide simplified means for -adding tent sections to a tent structure, thus making possible erection of tents of various sizes, of square, or rectangular construction.

A further object of my invention is to provide quickly, attachable, or removablemeans for securing the said ttings to the supporting posts.

A further object of my invention is to provide key and key-way means `for securing the said ttings, the said structure being also provided with tongue and lip engaging means in order to maintain the said fittings in fixed, and rigid engagement after the rope-tying has been completed.

A further objectuof my invention is directed, primarily, at a corner of a tent structure, which by the process of duplication, will form a tent of a four-sided, polygonal configuration, the said `corner structure providing meansfor adding sections thereto, means for supporting the eave portions of a tent, as well as the side curtains thereof, to be actuated for rolling up the same to various heights, or for allowing the same to remain in a downwardly dependent position.

A further object of my invention is to provide a tent structure which utilizes simple, elemental ttings of novel construction, readily attached, or removed, and a structure which will prove economical in the saving of time for setting up, and knocking down of the'said tent structure, utilizing the teachings, and practices of my invention.

Other objects, and ancillary features resident in my invention will become apparent from an examination of the accompanying drawings, further elucidated inthe ensuing description, so that those familiar with the art, will have no 'difficulty understanding the teachings hereinafter to be expounded as to the advantages inherent in my invention; the drawings represent various figures in which like numerals are used to designate like parts,`and` in which,

Fig. 1 is a top View of a corner portion, tion of a tent structure.

- Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the corner section indicated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front view of one of the fittings used, showing sections of ropes, in overlapping relation-'- ship and is a view taken along the lines 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view looking down in the direction of the arrows 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view looking endwise, in the direction of arrows 5--5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a corner structure, lookingupwardly and substantially in the direction of the arrows E 6 of Fig. l, showing the triangular type of ttings used to tie a rim-rope to a. hip-rope.

Fig. 'l is a view looking in the direction of the arrows l-l on Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken, substantially, on the line 8--8 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a front viewof another type of fitting used in connecting, or attaching tent extensions, and is a view taken substantially looking in the direction ofthe arrows 9 8 of Fig. 1.

Fig. l0 is a view looking in the direction of the arrows l-l of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is an end view looking in the direction of the arrows II--II of Fig. 9. v

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, I show the need for a. fitting, generally, designated 20, which is used as indicated on that view, to connect the hip sections I4 of the tent with the sections l'5 of tent, see Fig. 1. To connect sections I3 of the tent, which are sup-ported on section ropes, the fitting generally designated 20 is utilized.

To secure the hip sections, over the hip rope, the novel fixture, or fitting designated generally 39 is utilized, whereas to afford a means of adding tent sections, and eave sections, to a tent structure, to enlarge the same, the fitting generally designated 50 is utilized. The description will now endeavor -to indicate, and describe in detail, the various ttings.

To begin with, the fitting generally `designated 20, as well as the fittings generally designated 39, and that generally designated 50, each are provided with a recess or pocket 36 which is open at the forward end, as indicated at 31, in the lower extension provided for that purpose, on each tting, the upper portion of the pocket 36, being provided with a downwardly dependent lip 48 which `engages the tongue extensionl of the support 3l. The support 3| in turn, is provided or secwith ear extensions or trunnions 33 which cradle Within the pocket 3B, and afford an articulate type of connection to the fittings generally designated 2D, 39 and 5I).

The support 3 I, is provided with a threaded eX- tension 32 and is secured to the top of the eave post generally designated 38. The variations in the ttings reside only in the number of recesses formed on the top surfaces thereof, to accommodate one, two, or three ropes in overlapping relationship. The fitting generally designated is provided with a body having four extensions, two oppositely disposed extensions 2|, and two oppositely disposed extensions 22, at right angles to the said extensions 2 I.

A cross-like formation, or recess of semi-circular construction 34 and 35 is formed on the top surface thereof, in order to nest the ropes that may be drawn thereacross, and attached thereto. The rim-rope I9 is overlapping at right angles, as can be seen, tothe section rope I-B which, inturn, may b'e tied to a thimble 21 securing the eave extension rope 38 for supporting th-e veave structure I5.

The tent structure, as can be seen, is comprised of a number of sections I3, a number -of .hip section-s Ill, `and the eave structure I5. The tent, generally, designated I2 is also provided with a series =of Veave extension ropes gener-ally designated 38. The section ropes I6 are preferably tied 'at -26 vto Ithe thirnbles 21, the said section ropes also being rigidly secured to the iitting 2li by virtue of the groove .23 formed therein, `and by means of the tie-ropes 24 to hold the 'same in rigid assemblage.

The fittings are'also provided With downwardly `dependent eyelets 28 to which the ropes 29, used for winding up and unwinding the side drops of the tent, .are secured by pulling the said rope to function within the said eyelets, or by loosening the same. The side drops of 'the tent may be rolled up, or unrolled to any height desired, `and the 'rope 29 tied in place to maintain the raised, orel'evated adjustment of the side drops 53 of the Itent structure.

The eave rirn rope 6I Yalso provides suitable reinforcement to the eave structure `that is required. The fitting generally designated 20 is utilized throughout the tent structure whenever sections are to be connected. The hip sections I4 are inm f ter-connected :preferably by the fitting generally designated .39, which Yconsists yof a body 40 having the extensions 4l, 42, and 43, and having a .tri- -angulated semi-circular recess IM therein, in order to .receive and retain the rimrope I9 in right anguiar formation, vover which is super-:imposed the hip rope I1, which in turn :is tied to an eyelet 21, securing the eave external rim rope 5 l. The eyelet Mi has the function of permitting reeving the ropes 2S therethrough vwhen adjusting the side drops 58.

In this case, like in the preceding `fixture, or tting, the 4ends 4I, A2, and A43am provided with suitable notched portions in order to facilitate, rmly securing the hip ropes I1, yas wel-1 as the rim rope I9, by means Iof cords, or ropes so as to'form a rigid construction.

The .fitting 39 is provided with va pocket 36 havn ing a lip 88 to receive removably the trunni-ons 33 on the post il I, the tongue t9 abutting the interior portion of the lip 48.

The hip rope I1 is tied at 41 -to the eyelet 21 through which the eave extension rim rope 6I is laced through for securing the eave structure in taut arrangement. When extensions are to be added, thefitting generally designated 5I] is utilized. It comprises a Itubular body portion 52 havling a semi-circular trough 53 therein to support the sectiomjoining rope I8, the rim ropes I3 being tied to the rings 55 and 51 extending on kopposite portions thereof having bores 58 :and underneath the body 52, the body also being provided with an eyelet .structure 5I for attaching the rope 29 for manipulating the sidedrops Eil of the tent. This iixture is also provided with grooves 54, for securing the section-joining ropes I8 securely in place by means of tie-strings, or cords 55. 'Ihe section-joining rope is also tied to a Athirnble 2l through which the eave extension rope EI is secured. This structure is also mounted Iin the same fashion as the other fittings, namely 39 and 20, :and serves the purpose of interconnecting and mounting tent sections which are usually provided With grommets 59 to work freely over the ropes i8, so as to facilitate assembly thereof.

l'jho tent set-up, or knocbdown is Vaccomplished in the usual manner in accordance with the practices available in the -tent construction art, and which is well familiar jto those engaged inthe work of setting up, or knocking down tents. The novelty of the ttings, however, will greatly facilitate the setting up, or the knock-down .operation as hereinbefore expounded yand clarified.

A tent of any size may be constructed, if the principles embraced in the structure illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 are utilized, merely by adding sections of tent to the width or length of the ten-t, thus enabling one `to .construct a tent of almost any dimension of a polygonally four-sides conguration. v

I wish 4to stress particularly, that the trunnion structure of the upright supports SI secured to the top 38 of the posts, working in concert with the pocket portions 33 and :the depending lip portions 48 'furnish-es yan ideal means -of quick attachability and removablity of fittings that may be utilized in the constru-ctionfof a tent of a given size, or dimension.

It lis also to be noted that I provide eyelets 28,

46 and 5I on allof the iittings to facilitate the attachment of the ropes for support-ing in dependent position, or in partially rolled up position, the side drops, or curtains lof the tent structure. The construction also provides novel means for attaching the eave structure, -or sections of a tent, thus providing a tent construction which 'is ideal in many respects, `and especially in View of the fact that it will save `considerable time in the setup, or knock-down of the tent, a factor quite important 'as a labor-saving, and cost-saving feature.

.Although I have herein expounded rather succinctly, and described the nature and the operation, as well as the construction of the elemental parts comprising my invention and, inasmuch as the 'same is susceptible to various modifications, alterations, and improvements, I .herein reserve l 'the .right yto all such alterations, modifications,

K and improvements coming within the scope and reces`s means on its upper surface, an eyelet portion at one end and at the bottom thereof, and an open pocket portion below the said platform and provided with a depending lip portion; and a support provided with a threaded extension for securing the same to a tent post, and further provided with a pair of trunnions constructed and arranged to rest within the said pocket portion, the said support having also a tongue extension at its top constructed andarranged to abut the said depending lip portion.

2. Fastening means for securing the rope elements in a tent structure comprising, a fixture having a platform provided with rope cradling recesses in crossed relationship on its upper surface, an eyelet portion at one end and at the bottom thereof, and an open pocket portion below the said platform and provided with a depending lip portion; and a support provided with a threaded extension fo-r securing the same to a tent post, and further provided wi-th a pair of trunnions constructed and arranged to rest within the said pocket portion, the said support having also a tongue extension at its top constructed and arranged to abut the said depending lip portion.

3. Fastening means for securing lthe rope elements in a tent structure comprising, a fixture having a platform provided with rope cradling recesses in triangulated relationship on its upper surface, an eyelet portion at one end and at the bottom thereof, and an open pocket portion below the said platform and -provided with a depending lip portion; and a support provided with a threaded extension for securing the same to a tent post, and further provided with a pair of trunnions yconstructed and arranged to rest within the said pocket portion, the said support having also a tongue extension at its top constructed and arranged to abut the said depending lip portion.

4. Fastening means for securing the rope elements in a tent structure comprising, a fixture having a platform provided with a single rope cradling recess on its upper surface, an eyelet portion at one end and at the bottom thereof, and an open pocket portion below the said platform and provided with a depending lip portion; and a support provided with a threaded extension for securing the same to a tent post, and further provided with a pair of trunnicns constructed and arranged to rest Within the said pocket portion, the said support having also a tongue extension at its top constructed and arranged to abut the said depending lip portion.

5. Fastening means for securing the rope elements in a tent structure comprising, a fixture having a platform provided with a single rope cradling recess on its upper surface, an eyelet portion at one end and at the bottom thereof, an open pocket portion below the said platform and provided with a depending lip portion, ,and two rope tying eyelet portions formed at the bottom of the said platform and disposed at substantially right angles to `the said single recess; and a support provided with a threaded extension for securing the same to a tent post, and further provided with a pair of trunnions constructed and arranged to rest within the said pocket por-tion, the said support having also a tongue extension at its top constructed and arranged to abut the said depending lip portion.

6. Fastening means for securing the rope elements in a tent structure comprising, a fixture having a platform provided with rope cradling `recess means on` its upper surface, an eyeletportion at one end and at the bottom thereof, land an open pocket portion below .the said platform and provided with a dependinglip portion; and a support provided with a threaded extensionifor securing the same to a tent post, and further provided With a pair of trunnions constructed and arranged to rest within .the said pocket portion, the said support having also a tongue `extension at its top .constructed and arranged to abut the said depending lip portion, the said rope cradling recesses terminating in semi-cylindrical .extensions provided with grooved portions on theouter surface thereof to retain tying cords for securing the said rope elements tothe said fixture.

'7. Fastening means for securing the rope elements in a tent structure comprising, a fixture having a platform provided with rope cradling recesses in crossed relationship on its upper surface, an eyelet portion a-t one end and at the bottom thereof, and an open pocket portion below the said platform and provided with a depending lip portiqn; and a support provided with a threaded extension for securing the same to a tent post, and further provided with a pair of trunnions constructed and arranged to rest within the said pocket portion, the said support having also a tong-ue extension at its top constructed and arranged to abut the said depending lip portion, the said rope cradling recesses terminating in semi-cylindrical extensions provided with grooved portions on the outer surface thereof to retain tying cords for securing the said rope elements to the said fixture.

8. Fastening means for securing the rope elements in a tent structure comprising, a fixture having a platform provided with rope cradling recesses in triangulated relationship on rits upper surface, an eyelet por-tion at one end and at the bottom thereof, and an open pocket por-tion below the said platfo-rm and provided with a depending li-p portion; and a support provided with a threaded extension for securing the same to a tent post, and further provided with a pair of trunni-ons constructed and arranged to rest within the said pocket portion, the said support having also a tongue extension at its top constructed and arranged to abut the said depending lip portion, the said rope cradling recesses terminating in semi-cylindrical extensions provided with grooved portions on the outer surface thereof to retain tying cords for securing the said rope elements to the said fixture.

9. Fastening means for securing the rope elements in a tent structure comprising, a fixture having a platform provided with a single rope cradling recess on its upper surface, an eyelet -portion at one end and at the lbottom thereof, and an open Ipocket portion below the said platform and provided with a depending lip portion; and a support provided with a threaded extension for securing the same Ito a tent post, and further provided with a pair of trunnions constructed and arranged to rest Within the sai-d poclreil portion, the sair support having also a tongue extension at its top constructed and arranged to abut the said depending lip portion, the said rope cradling recess terminating in semi-cylindrical extensions provided with grooved portions on the outer surface thereof to retain tying cords for securing one of said rope elements to the said fixture.

10. Fastening means for securing the rope elements in a tent structure comprising, a fixture having a platform provided with a single rope `and a support provided with a threaded extension for securing lthe same to a teni'l post, and further'provided with la pair of trunnions constructed and arranged to rest within the said pocket portion, the said support having also a tongue extension at its topconstructed and ar- :ranged to abut the said depending lip portion, the

said rope cradling recess terminating in semicylindrical extensions provided with grooved portions on the outer surface thereof to retain tying cords for securing the said rope elements to the said fixture.

WALTER E. LEE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS AName Date Witte July 14, 1914 Number 

